Ms Balnanosienė's journey into the realm of employment services is not just a career choice but a legacy linked to her family history. Reflecting on her roots, she fondly recalls her grandparents, whose dedication to public service instilled in her a passion for helping others and contributing to her country. As she puts it, "New challenges are a great opportunity also for me as a person to grow every day.”

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the PES Network has developed an environment for knowledge-sharing and mutual support. Ms Balnanosienė commends the willingness of colleagues to share experiences and innovations, a sentiment echoed in her own commitment to the PES Network.

A pivotal aspect of the conversation revolves around the future of employment services amidst the twin green and digital transitions. Ms Balnanosienė outlines the importance of adapting to evolving skill demands. For instance, Lithuania has introduced an initiative to launch regional career centres aimed at guiding individuals toward occupations aligned with future needs. Furthermore, she sheds light on the integration of artificial intelligence, with projects like the statistical profiling system and the introduction of PES’s digital colleague "Emma," which stands for Empathetic, Polite and Responsible in Lithuanian.

Ms Balnanosienė's leadership extends beyond her role as the First Vice Chair, as she spearheads the PES Network's Communications Working Group, a shared learning format where members come together to develop ways for the PES Network to improve its communication activities and for PES to share what they are doing to reach out to citizens.

Wrapping up, Ms Balnanosienė extends a message of unity and visibility for the PES Network, positioning it as a source of cooperation and advancement in the European employment landscape.

If you have any comments about this episode of PESPod or relevant topics for future episodes, write to: EMPL-PES-SECRETARIAT@ec.europa.eu.